Forest Preserve Conducts Controlled Burn in Cuba Marsh

The burn was done to control invasive plant species in the forest preserve area.

  Smoke was seen coming from Cuba Marsh near Cuba and Ela Roads in Lake Zurich Wednesday, but there was no reason to be alarmed. Lake County Forest Preserve officials were conducting a controlled burn in Cuba Marsh as part of routine maintenance. Forestry Crew Chief Mark Speckan was in charge of the burn. He said it was done to control invasive plant species like buckthorn and honeysuckle. “We did four burn units in Cuba Marsh,” he said. “We just burned all four burn units together because the conditions were right.” Speckan explained that Forest Preserve officials check out weather conditions and direction of the wind before selecting an area to burn. “We don’t want to smoke out a major road. We had a west northwest wind which blew the …

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Train Blamed for Cuba Marsh Fire

The cause of the blaze was confirmed by Lake County Forest Preserve officials.

A Canadian National Railway train is said to have sparked the Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve fire on June 25.  Lake County Forest Preserve officials say it's not uncommon for sparks from the train rolling across the tracks to start a wildfire, especially in dry weather.  The blaze burned 50 acres of Cuba Marsh with no damage to any structures. Two fire departments, the Lake County Wildland Wildfire Response Team and District staff responded. No injuries were reported.  "The response team came prepared and educated and set a backburn to limit the wildfire from burning more acreage," said Jim Anderson, Natural Resource Manager with the Lake County Forest Preserve District. "Several years of collaboration with the fire departments has paid off as…

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Everyday Images of Barrington

Sunny Days In Cuba Marsh

Pretty scenery from my walk on the Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve trails.

One of the things I love about Barrington is the many parks and green spaces this village has. The sunny skies yesterday drew me in to a walk with my mom and dogs along the Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve trails next to Citizens Park. The sky was the perfect shade of blue and the temperatures were just right for a long walk in nature.  Have any summer pictures you'd like to share with Patch? Send them to morgan@patch.com and you might see them in a future edition of "Everyday Images of Barrington."

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